Verdict
The Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Barebones edition makes it well-off to work up your first mechanical keyboard . If you ’re an enthusiast itching to essay out the next degree of customisation , this is an low-priced and approachable debut power point .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
If you ’ve ever debate building your own keyboard , Ducky ’s latest barebones kit , the ProjectD Tinker 65 , might just be the one for you .
Customisation in the earth of mechanical keyboard run deep and , compared to those who pip out the soldering smoothing iron and crack asunder their switches to lend oneself lubricant , the Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Barebones only scratches the surface but crap for an intriguing place to start .
All the hard parting are taken care of in the manufacturing plant , and you ’re left to opt your switches and keycaps and tear it all together like an expensive Lego set . If you ’re not as keen on building , though , the Tinker65 is also available pre - build up , so you’re able to enjoy the finished effect without all the assembly .
The barebones kit will be you £ 84.98/$89.99 , while the pre - built model goes for £ 119.99/$109.99 . When you factor out in the cost of some quality switches and keycaps , you ’ll likely terminate up spending more go the impost route , but then you ’ll have a keyboard that ’s perfectly cut to your gustatory modality .
I built the keyboard a few weeks ago and have been intercept away on it ever since . Here ’s my full review article .
Design
The Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Barebones kit comes mostly assemble , the user will only call for to instal the switch and the keycaps , which are sold separately . It ’s a live - swop design , which means that the switches simply break down into place and do n’t need soldering to the PCB . It ’s very commodious for the physical body unconscious process , but it ’s as beneficial if you have a wrong switch in the time to come , or if you simply need to try out a new set of transposition .
The keyboard is particularly wakeful , being almost totally constructed from plastic . It feels chintzy than most premium mechanical keyboards but the down in the mouth free weight and 65 % layout make it extremely portable .
The underside is lily-white and the low-toned shell wraps around the side of the keyboard . The upper bezel , which also curves around the front and back , is black . It ’s an euphemistic looking at , and reminds me a moment of a killer whale . The monotone colour scheme will couple nicely with just about any keycaps , no matter how outlandish the color palette .
I prefer to copulate my barebones kit with Ducky ’s own Ultra - Violet PBT keycaps , which supply a healthy spattering of colour to the conception . I also used Ducky ’s Gateron G Pro 2.0 Brown electrical switch kit . These substitution have a dainty tactile feedback to them and add up pre - lubed .
The build cognitive operation was as round-eyed as could be , the live swap design meant that I just had to dawn my switches into place one by one until it was amply populated . It does take a while , there are 68 switch in aggregate , but it ’s very simple .
The same can be said for installing the keycaps , which just pour down onto the switch stems like any other keyboard . It was here that I ran into a slight effect , though . I did n’t make until this minute that the Tinker 65 has a non - received proper - teddy key ( 1.75U ) , and my keycap coif only came with a normal - sized one ( 2.75U ) .
This erroneous belief mean that I would either have to use a smaller keycap in its place or find a keycap that fit from another set . patently , in the long terminal figure , a fully compatible keycap set is the mode to go . I take up the caps lock away key from my Tai Hao Miami keycap set and have been using that for now . Just think of , if you buy the barebones outfit , you ’ll need to find a keycap set that includes a 1.75U right - shift keystone .
Performance
Once piece , all you need to do is connect to your computer with the include braided USB - A to USB - C cable , and you ’re effective to go . The software is entirely optional and only required if you require to adjust the layout .
A 65 % board is an excellent compromise . It ’s almost as compact as a 60 % but you keep on your arrow keys , and coming from a TKL board , the only affair that took some adjustment was the loss of the F - keys . After a few days , though , hitting subroutine to access this row became second nature .
The Gateron Brown switches and Ducky ’s double - shaft PBT keycaps are very good in their own right so my apparatus wasset upto succeed . The gasket - get on top plate supply a bit of “ thockyness ” to the phone , and the pre - lubed stabilisers ensure that the spacebar and enter key are every bit satisfying .
I was ab initio concerned that the lightweight bod might make the keyboard feel less imbed on my desk , or that it might produce a vacuous sound , but both of these supposal were wrong . The cartilaginous foot keep the keyboard glued in position and that gasket works wonder for the acoustics .
I mostly used the Tinker 65 for work , typing up numerous limited review , but I also play some CS : GO to see how it fares for gaming . Gateron Browns credibly would n’t be my top choice for gaming , but that ’s an issue that ’s easily solved during the build procedure . Despite the electrical switch alternative , the keyboard performed magnificently and I never felt it lack in speed or responsiveness .
Software and Lighting
There ’s no dedicated computer software for the Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Barebones , instead , you may apply either VIA or QMK to customise the layout , if necessary . Meanwhile , all the controls for the RGB lighting are handled with keyboard crosscut , with no software involve . This approach is helpful as no one wants their computer loaded with too much proprietary software already .
There are downsides to this , too . You ca n’t sync your lighting with other peripherals like you’re able to with Razer Chroma or Corsair iCue . Plus , commend those keyboard cutoff is n’t the easiest thing in the world , unless you ’re the type of person who switch over up their lighting every day .
The lighting itself is impressive , although it ’d be more impactful with shine - through keycaps . Both my build and the pre - built manikin use solid PBT double shaft caps , so the RGB effects are restrain to the space in between the keys .
The use of a white top plateful intend that the illuminance diffuses nicely and it ’s bright enough that the consequence look telling , even in a fairly well - lit room . There are tonnes of modes to choose between , include the usual gradient rainbow wave , spin rainbow , solid colours and keypress reactive effects . you may well adjust the brightness and velocity of these pre - laid effects , too .
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Should you buy it?
The Ducky Tinker 65 is very easy to put together , so you’re able to enjoy the experience of ramp up your first keyboard without worrying about mess up anything up .
Most gaming keyboards allow you to synchronise the RGB lighting with other products through software , but since the Tinker 65 has no software , no such feature article is usable .
Final Thoughts
The Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Barebones is a solid kit at a reasonable price . If you ’re expect to construct your first keyboard , this kit makes it elementary , easy and fun – so long as you remember to get a keycap set with a 1.75U ripe - shift key .
Once it ’s built , the typewriting experience is top mountain pass and it ’s peachy for gaming , too , especially if you choose for linear switches . The 65 % layout is a great middle - ground for those who want something compact but without sacrifice too much usability and , after a couple of weeks of examination , this is absolutely a practicable trade for a TKL option .
Many may favour a heavier keyboard with a more solid - feeling construction , but there ’s something to be tell for the lightweight design of the Tinker 65 . If you want to carry your keyboard between your home plate and the office , it could be just the tag . If this solidifying of tonality is n’t to your fancy , there ’s an excellent range of simple to more complex partizan options in ourbest mechanical keyboardsguide .
If you ’re not so keen on edifice , the pre - built instrument panel offers even better note value , though it does look unmistakable with disgraceful keycaps , and you ’ll be limited to just a few Cherry MX switching choice .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every keyboard we test for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll see it for ease of use and put it through its paces by playing a variety of different genres , including FPS , strategy and MOBAs .
We also check each keyboard ’s software program to see how easy it is to customise and congeal up .
FAQs
It will depend on your choice of switching and keycaps , but the pre - built weighs in at 590 yard , and most builds will be very exchangeable .
The Ducky Tinker 65 offers a 1000Hz polling rate over its wired USB - C connection .
